“Today, the sitting mayor of Hamilton Township is charged with promising to use his influence over the Hamilton Board of Education in exchange for bribes,” said U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman. “This is the most recent example of a public official charged by this office with extortion or bribery in connection with brokering insurance contracts for public schools. These lucrative service contracts should not be opportunities for public servants to betray their constituents by enriching themselves or their colleagues.”

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The Republican mayor was told late Wednesday the FBI had issued a warrant for his arrest, and he surrendered to authorities Thursday morning, said his attorney, Jerome Ballarotto. After the brief hearing, Ballorotto spoke in front of U.S. District Court and said the mayor denies the charges and is “not guilty. The mayor will not resign. There was no extortion and no exchange.”

Ballarotto said Bencivengo is “not feeling very happy about this. He has a lot of support from his family and friends and has done a great job for Hamilton Township, and he will continue those efforts.”

Immediately, however, his opponents called for Bencivengo to step down.

Democratic State Sen. Linda Greenstein said his “actions are a betrayal of the trust of the people of Hamilton and a grievous violation of every standard of government service and responsibility.”

“The accounts of his actions will completely undermine his ability to perform his duties under these circumstances,” she said. “For the sake of the people of Hamilton, I am calling for John Bencivengo to resign from his post as mayor of Hamilton Township.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton Councilwoman Kelly Yaede, a fellow Republican, said Bencivengo deserves his day in court.

“However, I believe that in order for this not to be a distraction to the Hamilton Township government, it’s in the best interest of the township if the mayor took a leave of absence,” she said.

Yaede also said the township council will discuss this “disappointing” situation at Tuesday’s council meeting – and will do so in front of residents instead of going behind closed doors.

“It’s imperative that this council keep an eye on working at the task at hand: making sure township services are not disrupted and making sure that finances are secure in Hamilton Township,” she said.

Bencivengo allegedly asked the CW for money to pay his taxes and living expenses, officials said.

In return, the mayor told the CW he would speak to a school board member about renewing the insurance contract without putting it out for public bids, according to court documents.

The money came to Bencivengo in multiple payments through a middleman, who accepted the funds from the CW.

Then, the mayor met with the CW, who secretly recorded the conversation, on June 29, 2011, when he allegedly told her he was having difficulty meeting his bills. When the CW asked him what was going to happen when the bills came due, he replied, “You’re probably going to have to help me,” according to the criminal complaint.

At a subsequent meeting the following month, when the CW again recorded the conversation, the mayor allegedly told the CW he needed $7,400 to pay his taxes, and the CW said: “$7,400 is definitely doable, as long as you got my back with the (school board member).”

Bencivengo responded: “When have I ever not had your back?”

In another conversation, Bencivengo allegedly told the CW that if anyone asks about the $5,000 check, to say the CW bought a bedroom set from the bag man.

The complaint went on the say the mayor allegedly met with the CW, who recorded the conversation, in Hamilton and received $2,400 in cash toward the $7,400.

Bencivengo allegedly met with the CW, again wearing a wire, in Atlantic City and collected the remaining $5,000, according to the criminal complaint.

When asked why Bencivengo, who earns an annual salary of $98,000 from the township, was so strapped for cash, the defense attorney said: “We all had financial issues from time to time, and I think his financial (woes) are his personal issue.”

Ballarotto said the mayor will return to work. “He’s had a pretty early morning, (so) if not today, he will (soon).”

The next step is for a grand jury to indict Bencivengo on the charge. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing, Ballarotto said.

When told of the taped conversations between his client and the CW, Ballorotto replied, the more tapes the better. “They will help prove his innocence. We look forward to the trial,” he said.

If Bencivengo is found guilty of the charge -- officially he is charged with attempted extortion under the color of official right -- he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, Moran said.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert approved a $100,000 unsecured bail for Bencivengo and ordered him to surrender his passport, not to travel out of state unless he gets permission, and not to have any contact with the witnesses in the case.

A few minutes later, Bencivengo, along with Ballarotto, walked out of the courthouse with the leg shackles removed. The mayor said nothing as he walked with his attorney to their car.

If Bencivengo takes a leave of absence or if he temporarily vacates the job, it will be up to him to name a replacement, said John Ricci, Hamilton Township business administrator. If Bencivengo resigns, township council will have to appoint a replacement to serve pending the special election of a permanent mayor.

Former Hamilton Mayor Jack Rafferty said Bencivengo is in a difficult position.

“Everyone who seeks political positions should think it all out because there are a lot of temptations. There are temptations all the time. If you’re that person who finds himself jammed up, well, it’s a bad position to be in...a position of power and to be in need,” Rafferty said.

“This is not good,” Rafferty added. “It creates a lot of hurt. It’s a disappointing hurt or an aggravating hurt. People are getting aggravated by our entire political system.”

Rafferty wished Bencivengo, who is separated from his wife Donna, the best and said he would reserve comments until after this issue is resolved.

“It’s going to be a tough year for Hamilton Township, but we’re going to have to look down that road and go down it,” he added.

One Hamilton resident said he could understand the mayor’s financial problems, having to pay for his estranged wife’s home and his own home.